{"id":111311,"date":"2020-02-27T12:34:48","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T17:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=111311"},"modified":"2020-02-27T12:34:48","modified_gmt":"2020-02-27T17:34:48","slug":"february-news-from-the-office-of-assemblyman-anthony-brindisi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=111311","title":{"rendered":"February news from the office of Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"220\" height=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Rep-Anthony-Brindisi-Congress.jpg?resize=220%2C220&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-102245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Rep-Anthony-Brindisi-Congress.jpg?w=220&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Rep-Anthony-Brindisi-Congress.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/><figcaption>Rep. Anthony Brindisi<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Brindisi passes postal reform bill to protect Postal Service and shore-up funding for critical service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Congressman\nAnthony Brindisi protected the United States Postal Service and bolstered their\nviability and sustainability by supporting the&nbsp;USPS Fairness Act. The\nbipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Brindisi, will end the unfair\npre-funding mandate for the USPS, solving the most pressing financial problem\nfacing the agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe\nPostal Service and the postal workers who deliver our mail nearly every day are\ncritical to our communities,\u201d&nbsp;Brindisi said. \u201cOur postal workers ensure\nour businesses can stay open, bills can get paid on time, prescriptions are\ndelivered, and much more. This bill, supported by members of both parties, will\nend an unfair government mandate, protect our postal service, and give them the\nflexibility they need to maintain the high level of universal service we\u2019ve\ncome to expect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under\ncurrent law, USPS is the required to pre-fund decades\u2019 worth of health benefits\nfor its future retirees. Since 2007, the mandate is responsible for more than\n90 percent of USPS\u2019s financial losses and 100 percent of losses over the past\nsix years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In\n2019,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/federalnewsnetwork.com\/hearings-oversight\/2019\/04\/postal-service-will-run-out-of-cash-by-2024-without-congressional-reform\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Postmaster\nGeneral Megan Brennan told Congress the Postal Service could run out of money\nby 2024<\/a>. This one-page\nbill would end the pre-fund requirement and improve the USPS\u2019s financial\nstanding and flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Local\npostal workers praised the legislation and Brindisi\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOn\nbehalf of the National Association of Letter Carriers, I want to thank\nCongressman Brindisi for fighting to preserve and protect the Postal Service,\nespecially in our rural communities,\u201d&nbsp;said Billy Ganey, an Ilion member of\nthe NALC. \u201cThe USPS Fairness Act protects our retirement and benefits and gives\nthe Postal Service the flexibility it needs to stay reliable, safe and\neffective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The\nlegislation passed with broad bipartisan support, 309-106.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Brindisi introduces bipartisan bill to\nexpand automobile grants for disabled veterans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brindisi (NY-22) and Dan Meuser (PA-9), members of the House\nVeterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, introduced H.R. 5761, the Advancing Uniform\nTransportation Opportunities for Veterans Act.&nbsp;<a>This bipartisan legislation would\nincrease access to the Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 Automobile Grant, which\nis used by our nation\u2019s most severely disabled veterans\u2014often amputees or\nparalyzed\u2014to purchase a vehicle.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am proud to champion this legislation to expand the VA\u2019s\nAutomobile Grant Program so we can further support these veterans who have\nsacrificed so much for our county,\u201d&nbsp;said Brindisi. \u201cThis bipartisan bill\nwill help these Veterans continue to go to work, attend school, visit family\nand maintain a life of mobility. I will continue to work to ensure that the men\nand women who bravely fought for our freedoms receive the support they have\nearned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cVeterans, especially those in rural communities, face\ntransportation challenges. Expanding the VA\u2019s Automobile Grant is a meaningful step\nfor the men and women who made great sacrifices in service to our\nnation,\u201d&nbsp;said Meuser. \u201cWe must do all we can to help ensure these veterans\nwith catastrophic injuries can lead fulfilling lives. Access to safe, reliable\ntransportation is essential to their health and wellness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This bill would help lessen a financial burden and expand\naccess to transportation for disabled veterans by allowing qualifying veterans\nto receive a second Automobile Grant, ten years after receiving their first\ngrant. Currently, veterans are only able to receive the grant\nonce-per-lifetime. In fiscal year 2020, an estimated 2,425 veterans will use\nthis benefit, which is valued at $21,488 per grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This grant is regularly used in tandem with the Special\nAdaptive Equipment Grants, which allow veterans to make necessary modifications\nto their vehicle, such as power steering and lift equipment, to accommodate\ntheir disability. Although veterans can only receive a one-time allowance\ntoward the purchase of a vehicle, they can access adaptive-equipment grants\nmultiple times. This legislation would help bring parity to these two important\nprograms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At a House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs subcommittee\nhearing, Brindisi questioned veterans service organizations about the importance\nof this legislation. The bill received support from the American Legion, Paralyzed\nVeterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, local veterans praised Brindisi\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe VA\u2019s Automobile Grant is an extremely important program\nthat provides eligible veterans with the opportunity to regain some of their\nindependence and mobility within the community where they live,\u201d&nbsp;said Ron\nRaymer, Navy Veteran and Director of the Madison County Veterans Service Agency.\n\u201cThe nature of the eligible veteran\u2019s disabilities which typically involves\namputations and paralysis can leave a veteran with a lack of independence,\nmobility and self-reliance which can have a devastatingly negative impact on\ntheir overall quality of life leading to isolation, depression and having to\nrely on others for transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAdditionally, many of these eligible veterans are on fixed\nincomes and cannot often afford the costs associated with the necessary\nadaptive changes or an accommodating vehicle. With the VA\u2019s automobile grant\nand the various adaptive equipment options available, the eligible veteran can\nregain a considerable portion of their independence and self-reliance in a\nvariety of ways which can significantly increase their quality of life, overall\nhealth and general well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The average age of light vehicles in the United States in 2019 was\u00a011.8 years, but this is often less for structurally modified vehicles. To qualify for the grant, a veteran must have one of the following service-connected disabilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both\nfeet<\/li><li>Loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both\nhands<\/li><li>Permanent vision impairment in both eyes to a\ncertain degree<\/li><li>Severe burn injury<\/li><li>Diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More information on the VA\u2019s Automobile Grant can be\nfound&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.proofpoint.com\/v2\/url?u=https-3A__www.va.gov_disability_eligibility_special-2Dclaims_automobile-2Dallowance-2Dadaptive-2Dequipment_&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=L93KkjKsAC98uTvC4KvQDdTDRzAeWDDRmG6S3YXllH0&amp;r=NWOUOdjN6Tc1RvU7RNAitJGh6NdW6RPwZk007MNAsZo&amp;m=_FsvojKv_dzAegEAOwue0eo7Jl307g4ffcWDogAn61M&amp;s=G-8X3-r3iPe7WI1bZStXa8NeCItE6nv0YmR3NBay27Y&amp;e=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Brindisi: Mental health\ncare for our farmers and in rural communities needs to be above party politics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brindisi\u2019s bipartisan&nbsp;Seeding Rural Resilience Act&nbsp;received\nthe endorsement from the bipartisan, bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus. Brindisi\nand fellow Problem Solver Congressman John Katko (NY-24) introduced the\nlegislation last year to fight to increase mental health care options for\nproducers and rural communities across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am thrilled the Problem Solvers Caucus has endorsed my\nSeeding Rural Resilience Act,\u201d&nbsp;said Brindisi. \u201cWhether it\u2019s low prices, a\ntrade war or Mother Nature, much of a farmer\u2019s bottom line is out of their\ncontrol, and that uncertainty can add to daily stresses. Our bill will help\neliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in our rural communities and ensure\nall farmers have better access to mental health care. Mental health for our\nfarmers and in our rural communities needs to be above party politics and I am\nhopeful we can get this bill done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The legislation received the caucus\u2019 endorsement when at\nleast 75 percent of the 48-member caucus agreed to support the bill. The\nProblem Solvers Caucus is led by New York Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23) and New\nJersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am proud that the Problem Solvers Caucus has endorsed the\nSeeding Rural Resilience Act, bipartisan legislation I introduced alongside\nReps. Brindisi and Craig to improve mental healthcare for farming\nfamilies,\u201d&nbsp;said Katko.&nbsp;\u201cWith the current rate of suicide in rural\ncommunities 45 percent higher than it is in urban areas, this legislation will\nimprove awareness of mental illness in rural areas and expand access to quality\nmental healthcare by establishing suicide prevention training programs in rural\ncommunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI thank the Problem Solvers Caucus for supporting this\nmeasure and look forward to continuing our work to pass meaningful and\nbipartisan legislation to improve mental healthcare for our nation\u2019s rural\ncommunities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From 1999 to 2016, suicide rates grew in nearly all 50 states.\nNew York\u2019s 22nd Congressional district has a higher rate of suicide than the\nstate average, and according to the Center for Disease Control, the suicide\nrate is 45 percent higher in rural areas than in urban areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bipartisan legislation would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Implement a farmer-facing employee training\nprogram that requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide voluntary\nstress management training to Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency and\nNational Resources Conservation Service Employees.<\/li><li>Form a partnership between the Department of\nHealth and Human Services and USDA to create a $3 million PSA campaign to\nincrease public awareness of farm and ranch stress and destigmatize mental\nhealth care in rural communities.<\/li><li>Direct the Secretary of Agriculture to work with\nstate, local and nongovernmental stakeholders to collaborate and determine best\npractices for responding to farm and ranch mental stress.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The companion bill in the Senate is sponsored by Senators\nJon Tester (MT) and Chuck Grassley (IA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Brindisi announces\nsix-figure grants to boost senior volunteer programs in Madison and Broome counties&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brindisi announced more than $100,000 in grant awards to the\nRetired and Senior Volunteer Programs in Madison and Broome counties. The\nfederal dollars, awarded through Senior Corps, will go to the Madison County\nOffice for the Aging and Catholic Charities of Broome County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOlder Americans make vital contributions to our Upstate\ncommunities, and these grants will help Madison and Broome county seniors\ncontinue their important work,\u201d&nbsp;Brindisi said.&nbsp;\u201cRSVP programs\nencourage civic engagement and allow seniors to use their skills and knowledge\nto make our communities better for everyone. I\u2019m glad we could secure this\nfunding for our district.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">RSVP is one of the largest volunteer programs in America for\npeople aged 55 and older. The grants awarded in Madison and Broome counties\nwill keep RSVP\u2019s services available to area children, families and seniors.\nVolunteers at the Madison County Office for the Aging and Catholic Charities of\nBroome County mentor local children, assist in natural disaster relief and\nstrengthen the local workforce with job readiness training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis grant will allow us to continue providing much-needed\nservices and keep our aging population healthy,\u201d&nbsp;said Madison County Office\nfor the Aging RSVP Director Annette Clark.&nbsp;\u201cIt\u2019s been shown that\nvolunteering keeps people healthier longer, so when members of our community\ncan continue to volunteer, it\u2019s a win-win situation all around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCatholic Charities has served families in Broome County for\nmore than 80 years, and this grant will help us continue our mission,\u201d&nbsp;said\nLori Accardi, executive director of Catholic Charities of Broome County. \u201cWe\nare grateful to have Congressman Brindisi\u2019s continued support for our work and\nknow this grant award will go a long way in promoting civic engagement in\nBroome County.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brindisi has championed the concerns of older americans during\nhis time in Congress. In January, he introduced the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/brindisi.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/standing-older-americans-across-area-brindisi-launches-national-campaign-gray\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gray New Deal<\/a>, a comprehensive policy platform to address\nthe legislative priorities of Older Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Brindisi calls for coronavirus response coordinator and additional resources to address growing emergency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brindisi issued the following statement in response to the\ngrowing threat of coronavirus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cKeeping Americans\nsafe is my top priority. The emerging global threat of the coronavirus requires\na thoughtful, comprehensive, and bipartisan response. Public safety needs to be\nabove politics. I am calling on the Administration to appoint a coronavirus\nresponse coordinator, in addition to emergency funding, to ensure communication\nand collaboration across government and international agencies. America is home\nto the greatest researchers and scientists in the world. By working together,\nour country can lead the response to this global threat. This is a global issue\nand it will take coordination across governments to keep Americans safe at home\nand abroad.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The coronavirus outbreak began in China in January 2020 and has infected\u00a0more than 80,000 people and killed nearly 3,000 people. The World Health Organization declared the virus a global health emergency Jan. 30, 2020. U.S. Health and Human Services announced a public health emergency the following day Jan. 31, 2020. The first\u00a0American servicemember was diagnosed with coronavirus this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Brindisi fights for\nupstate defense installations and pushes for clear strategy to deal with\nemerging threats from China during key committee hearing; Rome Lab and the\ndefense industry across our region play a critical role in keeping our country\nsafe &amp; they need the resources to do that<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brindisi, a member of the House Armed Services Committee,\nchampioned Rome Lab and other Upstate national defense priorities during a\ncommittee meeting. Brindisi brought the needs and concerns of Upstate New York\ndirectly to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brindisi said he grilled Esper on the Administration\u2019s\nbudget and their plan to address emerging threats from China, national security\nconcerns, and research and development of critical national defense\ninstallations across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRome Lab and the defense industry across our region play a\ncritical role in keeping our country safe,\u201d&nbsp;Brindisi said. \u201cAs a member of\nthe House Armed Services Committee, it is my job to fight for their priorities\nand work with the Administration to strengthen our national security. Whether\nit is quantum research, or other emerging technologies, our district will continue\nto lead the nation in research and development. We need a budget that funds\nthese critical projects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brindisi questioned the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of\nthe Joint Chiefs of Staff on military readiness and how they will keep America\nat the cutting edge of quantum science and artificial intelligence. Brindisi\nvoiced concerns about funding of quantum research, artificial intelligence, and\ncounter-unmanned aircraft systems. Brindisi, a staunch defender of the mission\nat Rome Lab, spoke about the critical work being done in the Mohawk Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs you know, our adversaries are also constantly evolving\nto beat our counter-UAS systems and are often able to hold our troops at\nrisk\u201d&nbsp;said Brindisi. \u201cIt is critical that we expedite the development and acquisition\nof counter-UAS technologies wherever possible. Our DoD Lab base has done a\ngreat job developing critical counter-UAS technologies to mitigate these\nthreats by fielding them as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brindisi\u00a0continues to use his place on HASC\u00a0to advocate for Rome and the defense mission across Upstate.\u00a0In the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act Brindisi fought for a $8 investment for a Quantum Innovation Center at Rome Lab and an additional $5 million for quantum science research. In total, the mission at Rome Lab will receive nearly $18 million in crucial investment. The Fiscal Year 2019 NDAA authorized $14.2 million in additional funding for security upgrades at Rome Lab. Brindisi, a longtime champion of the mission at Rome Lab, previously testified before the House Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee in support of this project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Brindisi announces six-figure housing grant for Utica Municipal Housing Authority<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) announced a $239,520\nHousing and Urban Development grant awarded to the Utica Municipal Housing\nAuthority. The grant is a part of HUD\u2019s Resident Opportunity &amp; Self\nSufficiency Service Coordinator program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe need to make sure everyone in our community has a roof\nover their head and is on the path toward self-sufficiency,\u201d&nbsp;Brindisi\nsaid.&nbsp;\u201cThese important dollars will help people in public housing across\nUtica can get the help they need to get back on their feet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to HUD, the ROSS program is designed to assist\nresidents make progress towards economic self-sufficiency. These grant dollars\nare used to hire Service Coordinators who assess the needs of public housing\nresidents and connect them with supportive services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Local officials praised Brindisi for his work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOn behalf of the residents of the Perretta Twin Towers and\nMarino-Ruggiero Apartments, the Utica Municipal Housing Authority would like to\nthank Congressman Anthony Brindisi for his help in securing the Resident Opportunities\nand Self-Sufficiency Program grant,\u201d&nbsp;said Robert Calli, executive director\nof the Utica Municipal Housing of Utica.&nbsp;\u201cThe ROSS program will enable the\nhousing authority to hire a service coordinator who will link our elderly and\ndisabled residents with services they need to live independently and with\ndignity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur ROSS program is emblematic of our commitment to enhance\nthe quality of life of the people we serve. During Congressman Brindisi\u2019s\npublic service tenure, he has universally prioritized the health, safety, and\nwell-being of his constituents and the award of this ROSS grant is yet another\nexample of his passion and commitment to the people of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Dec. 17, 2019, Brindisi voted to fund the ROSS program at\n$35,000,000 as part of the overall government funding package signed by\nPresident Donald J. Trump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>January highlights<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Jan. 8: Brindisi continues fight against Spectrum with new warning on debt collection; wants people being contacted by collection firm to call his office and demands Consumer Financial Protection Bureau probe Spectrum\u2019s deal with collector<\/li><li>Jan. 9: Brindisi introduces legislation to crack down on illegal drug cartels<\/li><li>Jan. 13: Brindisi joins town of Vernon officials and residents to demand state provide answers and address drinking water quality in Vernon Center; results of recent testing shows chloride levels in excess of recommendations of state Department Of Health<\/li><li>Jan. 15: Brindisi touts Rome Lab\u2019s Quantum Research during Armed Services Committee Hearing on emerging threats from China<\/li><li>Jan. 15: Brindisi votes to expand protections for older americans amid rising age discrimination<\/li><li>Jan. 16: Brindisi champions upstate veterans and introduces Chuck Osier Burial Benefits Act<\/li><li>Jan. 23: Amid emerging national security threats, Brindisi, industry leaders and defense advocates discuss future of mission at Rome Lab and \u00a0Mohawk Valley economy<\/li><li>Jan. 24: Brindisi presents World War Two and Korean War Veteran Hugh Aikens\u00a0with military service medals including Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star<\/li><li>Jan. 29: Brindisi: One veteran life lost to suicide is too many, the VA needs to do more to address mental health issues for our veterans<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Brindisi passes postal reform bill to protect Postal Service and shore-up funding for critical service Congressman Anthony Brindisi protected the United States Postal Service and bolstered their viability and sustainability by supporting the&nbsp;USPS Fairness Act. The bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Brindisi, will end the unfair pre-funding mandate for the USPS, solving the most pressing financial [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":102245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23810,23811,21571],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-111311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wellbeing","category-national","category-veterans"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/madisoncountycourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Rep-Anthony-Brindisi-Congress.jpg?fit=220%2C220&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p43meu-sXl","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=111311"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111311\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/102245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=111311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=111311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=111311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}